Nobel manufactured laminated boards, now called plywood, made from several thin layers of wood that were bonded together in a cross-grain arrangement in which alternate layers have their grain aligned perpendicular to each other. This same technique can be applied at the nanoscopic level, since cellulose nanocrystals are straight and needle-shaped with highly anisotropic mechanical properties. They have an estimated Young's modulus along the [001] (c-axis) of 206 GPa, which is comparable to that of steel, while their Young's modulus along [100] (a-axis) is estimated to be only 19 GPa.

While wood has been extensively used as a structural material for construction of furniture and small buildings, its strength and toughness are not adequate for advanced structures and applications.[4] Wood has been enhanced in the past through treatment with ammonia, steam, or heat, such treatments result in just a small densification, and wood treated by such means tends to lose its dimensional stability in humid environments.[4] Such treatments have resulted in an increase in strength by just a factor of three to four.[5]

This technique was proven for a variety of wood species, and it resulted in a specific strength higher than that of most structural metals and alloys.[4] The density increased from 0.43 g/cc to 1.3 g/cc.[5] This makes it too dense to float on water.[5] The partial removal of lignin by the chemical process might make the processed wood susceptible to bacterial or fungal attacks.[5] scanning electron microscopy showed that the process crushes the cellulose tubes, forcing them to crumple and interlock, so all the nanofibers are aligned in the growth direction.[6]

Projectiles were fired at wood specimens from a ballistic air gun, and 3 mm thickness five-layer laminates were able to stop a 46 gramsteelprojectile fired at 30 meters per second (see figure).[6] This is about the impact that an automobile would have in a collision; so, there might be a revival of the woodie body type.[6] Removing just the right amount of lignin is important for maximizing performance. The wood was strongest when about 55% of the lignin remains.[6] This material would be an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastics, and the processing chemicals are relatively benign.[6-7] Such materials might be an alternative to steels or alloys in buildings and bridge construction, and as a material to make lightweight vehicles for better fuel efficiency.[7]

Although the typical limit for the size of a wooden structure is three stories (about 45 feet), higher structures are now being built with engineered wood, such as cross-laminated timber.[9] In 2012, a 90 foot wood building was constructed in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, there's a 34 story wood tower planned for Stockholm, Sweden, and an architect'sstudy shows that 42 stories are possible.[9] The energy savings between wood and other materials is considerable. Per weight, brick needs four times the energy than wood to be made into a building material, concrete five times, steel 24 times, and aluminum 126 times. In the building itself, wood is a five times better thermal insulator than concrete and 350 times better than steel.[9] A proposed Tokyoskyscraper, built mostly of wood with just 10% steel, would be 70 stories (1,148 feet) tall.[10]